The National tribune., 1887-05-12
THE-vETERANs GOT THERE
How TheT Outmarched the Lads OF the Militia.

NeW IoTk Sun.l
A proud achievement that will shine con-
spicuous for many day in the pages of New
Jersey local history, was the peaceful but gall
liant march OF Elizsbeths Veteran Zouaves from
Elizabeth to Railway town. 1t was n six-mile
tramp through the moonlight, but what made
IL glorious was the fact that il was 4 COMPETE
tive march, in which the bronzed veterans beat
the young fellows of the Elizabeth militia.
These young fellows were the marching experts
OF Co. L, of the Sd n. j. Nobody in New Jer-
soy was more sstonished than Capt. Harry A.
Palmer, OF the young fellows, when he opened
big envelope in the armOry at Elizabeth a
fortnight ago and found q challenge from Gen.
Drake, commander of the veterans to face the
veterans in moonlight march. The veterans
proposed 10 show that, while they were war
SCARED and gray headed, they could still stand
in the ring as clipper as any of the young fell
lows when il came TO regular marching Of the
old war times fashion. The young fellows took
a whole week TO think the challenge over, and
then came 10 the conclusion that they couldn't
afford to do anything but march for all they
were worth.
Capt. Palmer theTeupon told Gen. Drake that
he and his men would be there when the moon
rose over the Elizabeth railway station. He
was there On time with 45 militamen, spick
and span in uniforms of blue and glistening
bayonets They drew up in columns of four in
stones throw of Gov. Green's house in Railway
avenue, at $50 o'clock. City Treasurer John
w. Whalen watched the face Of his globe chro-
nometer, and at o'clock precisely gave the
order TO march. The militiamen went off to
the roll Of drums in fine style, 10 steps to the
minute. They took the old road by the Penn
sylyaaia Railroad track. Lieut.. Henry Zim-
norman. OF the Zouaves, went along to see that
there was no running or double time.
lufn
from hundreds of Threats, Gen. Drake and his
veterans started of with drum corps of their
sons TO inspire them. The veterans wore their
red-tasseled caps, bagged trousers and buff leg
gings, and the blue jackets they wore when
they went to the war. There were rs Of them
all told, with Veteran Nathan G. Tucker, aged
~, as lively rs a cricket, carrying his musket
in the front rank. Townspeople gathered in
all sorts Of conyeyances to follow the veterans
on the march. The big band named after Gen.
Drake spun on to Railway by train ahead to
wake that town up TO the Importance of the
event The town didn't need it. Everybody
there was already on tiptoe of expectation, and
everybody was out in the street Ex- Fire Chief
Pfyfes house was n blaze of lighted lanterns
The lanterns were hung in the shape of giant
| Grand Army star. The sidewalks were fringed
with fire everywhere The fringe consisted of
tin cans filed with oakum saturated with tur-
| pentine and set ablaze.
Rockets shot into the air by residents along
/ the line of march traced tho advance of the
contestants against the haZy moonlit sky. AZ
/ $50 burst of rockets in Chamberlin Square
/ announced the arrival of the militiamen.
Then couriers on horseback dashed up with
/ the news that the old veterans had gained 8
minute upon the young fellows at the halfway
| house. Just a little later the echoes of thu
veteran drum corps made the air tremble Ar
instant afterward all the pretty girls in Rah
/ way, and the matrOns, too, waved their hand.
kerchiefs. and the Railway men gave one grea
! shout of welcome TO the veterans They haG
reached Chamberlin Square at GA in Just
minute and a quarter less time than the younI
fellows OF the militia had used Gen. Drak
sank into the arms of City Treasurer WheIan
faint with the joy Of triumph.
! Then Railway let all her pcnt-up enthusiasm
loose. Countless fireworks painted the SKI
with rainbow hues The volunteer band cam
out and played, with torches aglow Oh thei
caps; the Railway Fire Department paraded il
blaze of glory, and Co. +, of the 81 regiment
cOralled the veterans and tho militiamen OF
tho square and led them off captive to thei
armoTy over the Reform Club rooms and CAV
them grand banquet. Lieut.. Scholer, of tn
| young militiamen, then publicly conceded tina
the veterans had fairly and honorably boatel
the young fellows. Seventy year-old Vet
Gran Tucker said he felt rs if he wanted 4
march straight back 70 Elizabeth without stop
| ping 10 rest.
Jeweler NJ NJ. THESE presented the veteran
| with handsome silver challenge cup in homo
| Of their victory,